The government has expressed with uttermost dismay, a pro-Rawlings group’s four-week ultimatum to it to reconstruct the Ridge residence of the former first family or face unceasing street protests.
The NDC Youth With Conviction of Principles, largely, a metamorphosis of FONKAR, issued the threat Thursday at a press conference.
However, government’s release signed by deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that the government was at lost, the allegation that it has failed to take steps to reconstruct the residence which was razed down by fire on February 14, 2010.
According to the statement issued on Friday, details on the state of preparations and commencement of work on the burnt residence are known to persons assigned by the former first family to handle that matter.
Refusing to be drawn into discussing the issue and others, relating to the former couple, in the media or in the public domain, the release maintained that: “The Project Consultant and the Contractor who were chosen by the former first family are working on the reconstruction and have received government's fullest cooperation.”
The spokesperson for the Rawlings family, Kofi Adams, Thursday told the media that the Rawlingses rejected a plush accommodation at the Trasacco Valley Estates because it was incompatible with the NDC founder’s moderate lifestyle.
But the government said it was not unaware that the former President, Jerry Rawlings, has rejected the temporary facility offered him, which was intended for their use until the completion of the Ridge residence.
“Government dealt directly with the former President on the matter of his temporary accommodation, and if he has any concerns, we are sure that His Excellency will communicate with the Office of the President for appropriate solutions to be found.”
The statement cautioned persons who continue to draw the former President and issues about him into the public domain to desist, adding that government will not be drawn into showing disrespect to its former presidents by discussing matters about them in the media.
“In one breath, we are accused of not caring for our leaders, and yet in another breath, the same people say arrangements were made, but have been rejected,” the statement noted.
The statement noted that government will not be threatened or stampeded by any group into completing what it has clearly and consistently committed itself to doing.
Story by Isaac Essel/Joy Online
http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201110/74742.php
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